Shocking discovery by Coles shopper in canned product: ‘This is a major health risk and concern’
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Warning: This article includes graphic images and detailed descriptions of a dead animal. Reader discretion is advised.
Every trip to the grocery store is a hunt for quality products that are essential to our daily meals.
However, what if, amidst the pantry staples, you found something that turned your stomach and made you question food safety altogether?
That's exactly what happened to this shopper, who got more than she bargained for in a typical can of Coles brand red kidney beans.
On a seemingly ordinary shopping trip to Coles in Mount Barker, South Australia, Lauren Whitburn and her sister were looking forward to preparing a delicious Mexican meal.
What they didn't anticipate was a grisly find that would turn their appetite inside out.
As Lauren drained the beans, she came across the unthinkable—the remains of a mouse, complete with a leg and claw, entangled within the beans.
The initial moment of horror turned to revulsion as Lauren investigated the ghastly find.
‘I just saw something really peculiar, and I actually almost went to go touch it, and then went, “Oh, no, that does not look right,”’ Lauren said.
‘I then had a closer look and noticed the claw, and that's sort of where I was like, "Oh my gosh."’
‘I noticed there was hair, and it was just absolutely disgusting. I was probably in a bit of shock really and just absolutely, horrified. It was just so gross,’ she added.
Lauren expressed her aversion to consuming red kidney beans for the time being, and expressed concern that the remainder of the rodent might be present in other cans purchased by unaware shoppers.
‘I'm really concerned and worried that other cans will have the other remains of the animal,’ she said.
‘This is a major health risk and concern.’
She appealed to Coles to promptly notify customers and initiate a recall of the product from its store shelves.
‘I am concerned Coles is not taking the action required,’ Lauren expressed.
‘This product batch should be recalled as soon as possible, and people need to be made aware.’
She reached out to South Australia Health last Saturday, March 2, while her sister penned an email to Coles to shed light on this alarming incident.
Lauren said that SA Health would be collecting the contents of the can–which she had stored in her freezer in a zip-lock bag along with the can itself–on Tuesday.
‘The thing that scares me the most is if [the remains of the mouse] was sitting somewhere else in the can, and I rinsed off the beans and didn't notice it, then we would have been eating it that night, Lauren continued.
‘Who knows what sort of diseases or anything it would have been carrying.’
Coles said they are reaching out to their supplier regarding this issue.
‘Food safety is paramount at Coles. We are concerned to hear about this customer's experience and discovery with this product, and we are currently investigating with our supplier,’ they declared.
‘Our suppliers take great care when processing all our products, and include equipment and teams that conduct raw material inspections, pest control, and quality checks during processing.’
‘We have apologised to the customer for their experience and have commenced an immediate investigation with our supplier,’ they added.
Supermarkets have a significant responsibility to ensure the food they sell is safe for consumption.
Last year, a similar incident occurred when another woman claimed that she also found an animal’s remains in a can of kidney beans purchased from another popular store chain.
What are your opinions on this concerning find? Have you ever had a similar experience? Let us know your thoughts and insights in the comments below.
Every trip to the grocery store is a hunt for quality products that are essential to our daily meals.
However, what if, amidst the pantry staples, you found something that turned your stomach and made you question food safety altogether?
That's exactly what happened to this shopper, who got more than she bargained for in a typical can of Coles brand red kidney beans.
On a seemingly ordinary shopping trip to Coles in Mount Barker, South Australia, Lauren Whitburn and her sister were looking forward to preparing a delicious Mexican meal.
What they didn't anticipate was a grisly find that would turn their appetite inside out.
As Lauren drained the beans, she came across the unthinkable—the remains of a mouse, complete with a leg and claw, entangled within the beans.
Lauren found the remains of a mouse inside a can of red kidney beans she purchased from Coles. Credits: Lauren Whitburn
The initial moment of horror turned to revulsion as Lauren investigated the ghastly find.
‘I just saw something really peculiar, and I actually almost went to go touch it, and then went, “Oh, no, that does not look right,”’ Lauren said.
‘I then had a closer look and noticed the claw, and that's sort of where I was like, "Oh my gosh."’
‘I noticed there was hair, and it was just absolutely disgusting. I was probably in a bit of shock really and just absolutely, horrified. It was just so gross,’ she added.
Lauren expressed her aversion to consuming red kidney beans for the time being, and expressed concern that the remainder of the rodent might be present in other cans purchased by unaware shoppers.
‘I'm really concerned and worried that other cans will have the other remains of the animal,’ she said.
‘This is a major health risk and concern.’
She appealed to Coles to promptly notify customers and initiate a recall of the product from its store shelves.
‘I am concerned Coles is not taking the action required,’ Lauren expressed.
‘This product batch should be recalled as soon as possible, and people need to be made aware.’
She reached out to South Australia Health last Saturday, March 2, while her sister penned an email to Coles to shed light on this alarming incident.
Lauren said that SA Health would be collecting the contents of the can–which she had stored in her freezer in a zip-lock bag along with the can itself–on Tuesday.
‘The thing that scares me the most is if [the remains of the mouse] was sitting somewhere else in the can, and I rinsed off the beans and didn't notice it, then we would have been eating it that night, Lauren continued.
‘Who knows what sort of diseases or anything it would have been carrying.’
Coles said they are reaching out to their supplier regarding this issue.
‘Food safety is paramount at Coles. We are concerned to hear about this customer's experience and discovery with this product, and we are currently investigating with our supplier,’ they declared.
‘Our suppliers take great care when processing all our products, and include equipment and teams that conduct raw material inspections, pest control, and quality checks during processing.’
‘We have apologised to the customer for their experience and have commenced an immediate investigation with our supplier,’ they added.
Supermarkets have a significant responsibility to ensure the food they sell is safe for consumption.
Last year, a similar incident occurred when another woman claimed that she also found an animal’s remains in a can of kidney beans purchased from another popular store chain.
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